Local News

Healey pledges to fight energy prices with legislation, executive order

The remarks come after gas companies pledge discounts on bills, at least for now.

Governor Maura Healey announces her annual budget plan, during a Massachusetts State House press conference. Pat Greenhouse for the Boston Globe

By Beth Treffeisen

February 27, 2025

2 minutes to read

Governor Maura Healey is pledging to reduce energy costs in the commonwealth as many customers grapple with skyrocketing utility bills this winter.

On Wednesday, Healey introduced new legislation and executive orders aimed at bringing down costs while at a Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce forum.

“I know that many families and businesses have seen a spike in the costs of natural gas,” Healey’s prepared remarks said. “Costs are impacting everyone right now, and this is not the time for big, sudden increases. It’s unacceptable.”

Healey continued saying that she demands the Department of Public Utilities to take “immediate action to lower bills.”

Despite utilities offering to spread out the costs over the year (by providing a 10% discount now, to be paid during off-peak months), Healey said, “that is not good enough.”

“We need to see real action on this, and we need to see it now,” her remarks said.

To prevent these sky-high bills from happening again, Healey says her administration will file an energy affordability and independence bill and implement an energy affordability agenda.

Her remarks did not include specifics but assured that the company will take steps to “jump-start homegrown, clean energy generation” and “protect against future price spikes.”

“Massachusetts will be stronger, and more affordable, when we rely on ourselves for energy,” Healey’s remarks said. “We won’t be tied to costly, volatile fuels that spike every winter and ship our dollars out of state.”

Last week, the DPU ordered utility companies to reduce bills by 5% after residents complained of high heating bills in January and February.

The push came after Healey, Attorney General Andrea Campbell, and legislators demanded the DPU and gas companies do more to help customers.

In its filing, Eversource reports it will revise the Local Distribution Adjustment Factor to provide bill relief to customers facing increased bills due to increased supply costs, the recovery of energy program costs, and colder than normal winter temperatures.

CBS News reports that Eversource said the proposal should decrease the average residential bill by 10.3% in March and 10.1%, or $19.71, in April. National Grid customers’ average natural gas bill would be reduced by about $40 per month.

Both companies are deferring the costs to off-peak months.